The Environmental Health Division is dedicated to making the Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts the healthiest districts in the state by protecting citizens from preventable risks to human health and the environment where they live, learn and work. Emphasis is placed on education and public awareness of health concerns, as well as regulatory authority. The main Environmental Health office is located at 1502 Williamson Road NE Roanoke VA. Phone (540) 204-9764.
The Environmental Health Division is responsible for the following programs:
Food Program (Restaurants, Caterers, Schools, Mobile Units, Adult Homes, Day Cares, Festivals)
Onsite Program (Private Sewage Disposal Systems and Drinking Water Wells)
Tourist Establishments Program (Hotels, Motels, Campgrounds, Bed & Breakfast Facilities)
Recreational Water Program (Public Pools & Water Parks)
Rabies Program (Exposure Case Management and Testing)
Lead Program (Lead Based Paint)
Tick Identification Program
General Environmental Health Program (General Environmental Complaints)
Food Program (Restaurants & Other Food Facilities)
The health department employs staff to help ensure the proper handling of food served to the public by working with food service operators to reduce risk factors associated with foodborne illnesses. Environmental Health Specialist Seniors (EHSSs) inspect food establishments that include: restaurants, caterers, schools cafeterias, mobile units, seasonal food facilities, child care centers, hospitals, nursing homes, and homes for adults and other institutions, continental breakfast facilities in tourist establishments, summer camps, and temporary food facilities at festivals and other events. Food facilities have an inspection frequency based on their VDH priority risk assessment rating. Our RCAHD staff typically make more than 2000 food service-related inspections each year.
To obtain applications for your event offering food, visit the Forms & Applications page.
Onsite Program (Septic Systems & Wells)
Residents in some of our RCAHD communities are among the 20% of Virginians who rely on private wells as their primary source of water. Our onsite program provides dedicated environmental health staff to help residents protect the water quality of private water supplies every day. Applications for private sewage disposal systems and water wells designed by licensed authorized conventional and alternative onsite soil evaluators (OSE & AOSE), as well as professional engineers (PE), are reviewed and permitted by this division. Onsite system applications may be for single-family residential use or large-scale commercial use. In some circumstances (applications that do not include owner speculation or any type other than a single-family residence), the site evaluation and design may be completed by RCAHD staff.
This division also investigates complaints of failing sewage disposal systems and contaminated wells. When complaints are found to be valid, the owner may be required to complete corrective repairs.
Click here to view the Alternative Onsite Sewage System (AOSS) Operator Map.
Read more about the VDH Environmental Health Onsite Sewage Water Services.
VDH Septic and Well Assistance Program: You may qualify for a FREE program to have your private well and sewer fixed at no cost. If your well or septic system needs repairs, and your income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, you may qualify. For guidelines or to obtain an application, visit (https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/swap/). Return the application to your local health department.
Roanoke County Residents: Well and septic applications will be received by the Roanoke City Health Department located at 1502 Williamson Road NE, 2nd Floor, 24012. Questions regarding Roanoke County well and septic applications should be directed to 540-204-9780 or 540-204-9763.
Tourist Establishment Program (Hotel, Motel, B&B, Campground)
Our staff inspect lodging facilities under the Virginia Sanitary Regulations for Hotels. These regulations establish standards that protect the health and safety of lodging patrons at establishments such as hotels, motels, campgrounds and bed and breakfast facilities. RCAHD lodging facilities receive at least one inspection per year. Each inspection includes at least 10% of the total number of rooms, and any other amenities such as pools, hot tubs, saunas, and continental breakfast facilities. All new tourist establishment facilities are required to have their plans reviewed and approved by the health department before a permit is issued. Complaints of tourist establishments are investigated by RCAHD staff.
Recreational Water Program (Pools & Water Parks)
Roanoke City, Roanoke County and the City of Salem all have local codes which require inspection and permitting of all public pools including apartment complexes, fitness centers and swim clubs. Roanoke City and Roanoke County charge a pool permit fee. Tourist establishment pools are inspected in all RCAHD jurisdictions according to state regulations. Depending on the jurisdiction, construction plans for new pools may be required for health department review and approval.
For more information, visit VDH Waterborne Hazards Control.
Rabies Program (Animal Confinements and Testing)
Rabies is a fatal, but preventable viral disease of mammals. The virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing brain inflammation and death. RCAHD staff work closely with local Animal Control divisions to review reports of all animal bites to ensure proper procedures for confinement, confinement releases and victim notifications. When animals are not located for confinement or testing, victims receive calls and letters regarding the state health department’s position on the need for rabies post-exposure treatment. In circumstances when animal rabies testing is necessary, division staff prepare the specimens for shipment to the state laboratory.
For more information, visit VDH Rabies Control.